Poecile superciliosus
The White-browed Tit (Poecile superciliosus) is a small, energetic passerine, measuring approximately 13 cm (5.1 inches) in length and weighing between 12-14 grams. It is easily recognized by its striking white supercilium (eyebrow) contrasting sharply with a glossy black cap that extends to the nape, and clean white cheek patches. Its upperparts are a soft ash-grey, transitioning to white underparts, with distinctive rusty-brown flanks. This species exhibits no significant sexual dimorphism,...
This species primarily inhabits high-altitude coniferous and mixed forests, subalpine scrub, rhododendron thickets, and dwarf juniper, typically found between 2,800 to 4,500 meters (9,200–14,800 feet) elevation.
Their diet consists mainly of insects, including caterpillars, beetles, and spiders, supplemented with seeds, particularly from conifers and birches, acquired by gleaning from foliage and bark.
White-browed Tits are diurnal birds, actively foraging from dawn till dusk. They employ a 'gleaning' foraging strategy, meticulously searching bark, needles, and foliage for insects, and are also known to probe crevices. Food caching, particularly of seeds and insects, is a crucial survival strat...
The White-browed Tit is an endemic resident of the eastern Palearctic, with its primary distribution spanning the high-altitude regions of central and western China. Key provinces and autonomous regions include Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, and Yunnan. Its range extends westwards into the easte...
Least Concern
- The White-browed Tit is one of the highest-dwelling tit species in the world, regularly found at elevations up to 4,500 meters (14,800 feet). - Its scientific epithet, 'superciliosus,' is Latin for 'having prominent eyebrows,' directly referencing its most striking field mark. - Like many tits,...